From SFU Executive Searches | Provide your input: Search for SFU's first Vice-President People, Equity and Inclusion

Last year, President Joy Johnson committed to creating a new senior leadership position at SFU that is responsible for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The process for selecting SFU’s first Vice-President People, Equity and Inclusion (VPPEI) is now underway.

About the position and portfolio

The VPPEI will be responsible for developing and overseeing an EDI strategy for SFU to ensure that EDI values are embedded in decision-making and institutional strategies. They will look for ways to work with the community to support anti-racism and anti-oppression initiatives. A key responsibility for this role will be to promote a teaching, learning and working environment that is safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive for all members of the SFU community.

The VPPEI will oversee a number of portfolios, including Faculty Relations, Human Resources and an EDI support unit. This position will report to the President, will be a key member of the Executive Team and will provide strategic leadership, support and resourcing for the achievement of SFU’s commitment to EDI in all aspects of the university’s mandate.

The establishment of this new portfolio is based on research, the recommendations in the executive structure review, and consultation with stakeholders and leaders within and outside SFU, including the Diversity Meter survey. The VPPEI is expected to start in Fall 2021, at which time the portfolio will be established.

About the search process

A Search Committee has been established, as per University Policy GP29, and is currently undertaking a process to select SFU’s first VPPEI.

The Search Committee is currently engaging in a robust consultation to gather feedback into the candidate profile. And because no one knows SFU as well as you—our faculty, staff and students—you are invited to participate in this important process.

We want to hear what backgrounds, experiences and qualities you feel are important for us to look for in selecting our first Vice-President People, Equity and Inclusion. We also want to hear about some of the opportunities and challenges this person might face. Your input will help shape the candidate profile, a document that will be used in the recruitment and evaluation of candidates.

How you can participate

There are several ways for you to participate in this consultation:

• Online Questionnaire: Share your feedback anonymously until March 5th. Take the survey.
• Written submission: Send a written submission directly to the committee by March 5th: vp_search@sfu.ca
• Virtual Forum: Join us for a virtual forum from 1-2 PM on March 3, 2021. Visit the event page to register in advance and for more information.

For more information about the search committee or process, you can visit the search website. You can also read this SFU News article, where search committee chair Joy Johnson speaks in more detail about this new position.

SFU is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and appreciated in learning, teaching, research and work. This is an important step forward in our journey. Thank you in advance for your participation.